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Little Feat, like every other good gumbo, is a wealthy, darkish stew of influences. They will stir in folks, rock, blues, nation, gospel and a little bit of funk. The key spice on this unusual concoction was initially the late Lowell George, a person of each prodigious abilities and appetites. He oversaw their transformation from an off-kilter post-Frank Zappa hybrid group right into a rollicking, rootsy delight earlier than he was felled by a massive heart attack on June 29, 1979, at simply 34 years outdated. Little Feat had already begun drifting away from him, turning a little more jazzy, however promptly broke up anyway.
Subsequent got here an unlikely late-’80s reunion that introduced keyboardist Invoice Payne, drummer Richie Hayward, guitarist Paul Barrere, percussionist Sam Clayton and bassist Kenny Gradney again collectively from the classic-era lineup – after which introduced Little Feat again to sounds of its rootsier heyday. Little Feat had hinted that each issues have been completely attainable with 1974’s extra collaborative Feats Do not Fail Me Now, even when Lowell’s wild and wooly musical excursions have been generally sorely missed.
Little Feat would turn out to be extra song-oriented as they skilled a sharper highlight on the underlying musical components that at all times made this band so intriguing. Tending to their roots with much more care than appeared attainable with Little Feat’s rangy late frontman, the group ultimately discovered themselves recording their first all-blues, Clayton-sung LP. For some, the style activate Sam’s Place could have appeared as unlikely as Clayton transferring from behind the congas. In spite of everything, Little Feat had at all times been one factor – and that was by no means anyone factor. But Clayton’s infectious ardour for the music is evident, and there is at all times been a vibrant blues thread winding by way of the group’s profession.
READ MORE: How Little Feat Saved Their Career With ‘Dixie Chicken’
A Howlin’ Wolf cowl was included on Little Feat’s 1971 self-titled debut. They labored with Bonnie Raitt on a string of albums starting with 1973’s Dixie Chicken. Muddy Waters’ “Cannot Be Glad” made an look on a 1996 reside album. Louisiana bluesman Sonny Landreth was among the many friends on 2008’s Be part of the Band. Rooster Rag, launched in 2012 as Little Feat’s most up-to-date studio album, opened with the lip-smackingly ribald “Candyman Blues” by Mississippi John Damage. Increasing on these scattered ideas, Sam’s Place unfolds with rowdy pleasure, tough type and no small quantity of grit.
They kick issues off with an unique co-written by Clayton, “Milkman,” then embrace a number of pleasant deep dives from periods at Sam Phillips’ second Memphis studio. Guitarist Scott Sharrard, who’s changed the late Barrere, steered “Why Individuals Like That” from the deeply underrated Bobby Charles. Clayton dug out “Do not Go No Additional,” giving this Willie Dixon deep reduce a gravel-gargling recharge. However Sam’s Place is basically about exploring a foundational component of their musical previous in miniature. So, Little Feat covers Howlin’ Wolf once more. Raitt sits in once more. “Cannot Be Glad” returns, too. Their simple camaraderie is such that even a concluding reside model of the normally drained Chess warhorse “Acquired My Mojo Working” turns into a rollicking good time. The result’s an inviting alternative to extra deeply discover one of many small, good issues that at all times girded Little Feat. They’re very a lot at residence in Sam’s Place.
Prime 100 Dwell Albums
These are extra than simply live performance souvenirs or stage paperwork from that superior present you noticed final summer season.
Gallery Credit score: UCR Workers
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